New Hope for West Papua Education: People's School Arrives in Manokwari

MANOKWARI - The Ministry of Social Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia has approved the construction of an Integrated People's School in Manokwari Regency, West Papua, after the area was declared to have passed the third phase of verification in a meeting held by the relevant ministry.

Acting Head of the Manokwari Regency Social Service, Ferdy M. Lalenoh, said Manokwari was one of the three districts in West Papua that were declared eligible out of a total of seven candidate areas.

"Of the seven regencies in West Papua that have submitted a proposal for a People's School, Manokwari Regency was declared eligible along with South Manokwari Regency and Kaimana Regency," said Ferdy in Manokwari, Antara, Wednesday, December 31.

The agreement reflects the commitment and seriousness of the Manokwari Regency Government under the leadership of Regent Hermus Indou in welcoming and preparing national programs, especially the People's School which is the idea of President Prabowo Subianto.

According to Ferdy, the local government has ensured the readiness of the land as one of the main requirements for the construction of the People's School, so that Manokwari is considered eligible by the Ministry of Social Affairs.

"The regional government is very serious and focused on preparing all the requirements, especially the readiness of the land so that the People's School program can be realized immediately," he said.

He explained that the next step is to complete a number of reading criteria (RC) and enter the process of preparing detailed engineering design (DED).

"The target of the Ministry of Social Affairs and the Ministry of PUPR, in March 2026, has started the auction process for the construction of the Manokwari Regency Integrated People's School," he said.

Ferdy ensured that his party would immediately report the development to the Manokwari Regent and strengthen cross-sectoral coordination so that all stages would run according to schedule.

On that occasion, the Manokwari Regency Social Service also invited all elements of the community to support the implementation of the People's School program so that it can run smoothly and provide real benefits to the community.

"We express our gratitude to the Ministry of Social Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, the Ministry of PUPR through the West Papua Strategic Infrastructure Working Unit, and all parties who have supported so that Manokwari is declared eligible for the construction of the People's School," said Ferdy.

He added that the approval of the construction of the People's School was good news and a Christmas gift for the people of Manokwari, considering that this program is aimed at accommodating children from economically disadvantaged families.